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The personal tThe personal training industry has undergone significant changes and growth over the years. With an increasing focus on health and wellness, the demand for personal trainers has skyrocketed—accelerated by tools like personal training software for online training and fitness trainer software that let coaches serve clients anywhere—leading to new opportunities and challenges within the industry.
As a personal trainer, understanding the landscape of your industry is crucial for navigating your career path successfully. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your existing client base, pairing data with the right systems—think CRM for personal trainers and a gym personal trainer app—can give you a real edge. Let’s dive into key statistics and what they mean for you as a personal trainer.
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Market Size and Expansion
The personal training industry has seen a substantial increase in the number of trainers, especially in the digital realm. The proliferation of online training platforms has allowed for an expansion in the number of certified personal trainers offering their services remotely.
As of 2024, there are approximately 728 thousand personal training businesses, marking a 4.8% annualized growth rate since 2016.
In the United States, which accounts for a substantial 44% of the global market, the personal training industry boasted 326,000 personal trainers as of 2021.
This growth trajectory is expected to continue at an annualized rate of 3.1% until 2026.
Industry Revenue
According to the most recent statistics, the personal training industry has seen a growth of more than 50% from $8.5 billion in revenue in 2012 to a forecast of $12.9 billion in 2021.
This marks an annualized 5.4% increase in industry revenue from 2016 to 2021 and a 2.2% growth in 2021 alone.
The annual median wage of personal trainers was $40,700 in 2021, with the online segment often commanding higher rates due to the flexibility and scalability of services.
Based on the annualized growth rate of 1.75%, the projected annual median wage of personal trainers in 2024 is approximately $42,874.36.
These shifts are influenced by factors such as consumer disposable income, the emergence of new market segments and opportunities, a growing emphasis on leisure and sports, the rise of niche markets, and an increasing awareness of health and wellness.
The median hourly wage of personal trainers was $19.57 in 2021, an increase from $15.25 in 2012.
This is an annualized growth rate of 2.81%.
Personal Trainer Employment
In 2021, the distribution of personal trainer employment across the United States showcased significant geographical variances. The states leading in employment numbers for personal trainers were:
- California: Leading the chart with 25,200 personal trainer jobs.
- Texas: Following with 17,000 jobs in the personal training sector.
- Florida: Close behind with 14,900 personal training jobs.
Focusing on specific metropolitan areas, the top regions for personal trainer employment in 2021 were:
- New York-Newark-Jersey City: At the forefront with 14,200 personal training jobs.
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: Next with 9,900 jobs.
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim: With 8,300 jobs in the personal training industry.
Furthermore, location quotients played a crucial role in highlighting areas where personal training jobs were more prevalent compared to the national average. A location quotient greater than 1 suggests a higher concentration of employment than the average.
In 2021, the top states with the highest location quotients for personal trainers were:
- Montana: With a location quotient of 2.03, indicating that personal trainer jobs were over twice as prevalent in Montana compared to the U.S. average.
- Colorado: Holding a location quotient of 1.77.
- Rhode Island: With a location quotient of 1.52.
These statistics provide a detailed perspective on the employment landscape for personal trainers in the United States in 2021, highlighting both the top states for overall employment and those with the highest relative concentration of jobs in the field.
Certification Trends
A variety of certifications are available for aspiring personal trainers, each catering to different specializations and career paths.
- Certification Bodies: Prominent organizations offering certifications include ACE, NASM, ISSA, and AFAA.
- Specialization Certificates: These include group fitness, nutrition, corrective exercise, and sports-specific training.
Most common certifications:
If you’re looking for tips and strategies to ace your courses, we recommend reading our detailed guide on Fitness Certifications.
- ACE (American Council on Exercise): Regarded as one of the best for general personal training. Typically takes 3-6 months to complete.
- NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine): Known for its focus on corrective exercise. The certification process can take 4-6 months.
- ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association): Offers a comprehensive online certification program, usually completed in 6-12 months.
Statistics on Gyms
Gyms play a crucial role in the personal training industry, providing a physical space for trainers to work with clients. On the operations side, gym management software and fitness studio software centralize bookings, billing, and program delivery so trainers can focus on coaching.
- Most Common Types of Gyms: These include mid-market gyms (like 24 Hour Fitness), boutique studios (focusing on specialized training), and upmarket gyms (offering premium services).
- Average Gym Revenue: Varies greatly depending on the location and size but generally ranges from $150,000 to $300,000 annually for small to medium-sized gyms.
- Average Gym Size: Typically, gyms range from 3,000 to 20,000 square feet, with boutique studios on the smaller end and big-box gyms on the larger end.
- Growth Prospects: The gym industry is expected to grow steadily, with boutique and specialized gyms showing the most significant growth potential.
Conclusion
The personal training industry is dynamic and ever-evolving, with new trends and opportunities emerging regularly. For personal trainers, staying informed about industry statistics, embracing certifications that align with their career goals, and understanding the gym landscape are crucial steps towards success. As the industry continues to grow, those who adapt and innovate will find themselves thriving in this exciting and rewarding field.
Meet the author
Apra Pathak
Meet Apra Pathak, a social media virtuoso and expert blogger dedicated to helping personal trainers thrive digitally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yangzey Sherpa leads content strategy at FitBudd, overseeing content planning and execution across fitness-focused digital channels. With over five years of experience in SEO and content, she works closely with the fitness industry to ensure content aligns with the needs of coaches, trainers, and gym owners. Her role keeps her deeply connected to fitness business workflows, coaching models, and how professionals use digital platforms to grow.
Apra Pathak has worked closely within the fitness niche for several years, supporting personal trainers and fitness coaches through content and digital marketing initiatives. Her experience centers on understanding how fitness professionals build visibility, communicate value, and engage clients online. Through sustained involvement with fitness-focused platforms and audiences, she has developed a strong understanding of the digital needs and growth challenges faced by modern fitness businesses.
Aishwarya Mehra has been actively involved in fitness-focused digital marketing, working closely with brands and platforms that serve coaches, trainers, and fitness businesses. Her experience spans engagement-driven strategies designed specifically for fitness audiences. Through ongoing exposure to fitness campaigns and communities, she remains closely aligned with how fitness professionals attract, convert, and retain clients in digital environments.
Suchandra Das has contributed content within the fitness niche, working on resources designed for coaches, trainers, and fitness business owners. Her experience involves supporting fitness-related topics with clear, structured, and accessible content. Through consistent involvement with fitness-focused platforms, she has developed familiarity with coaching workflows, client communication, and the informational needs of fitness professionals.
FitBudd is a fitness technology platform built exclusively for coaches, personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness professionals. The platform supports fitness businesses through branded apps, white-labeled solutions, and websites designed around real coaching and training workflows. FitBudd works closely with the global fitness community, maintaining deep, ongoing involvement in the fitness industry.
Ankit Uniyal has worked extensively with fitness-focused content, supporting platforms that cater to personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness professionals. His experience includes optimizing and structuring content around fitness-related search behavior and user intent. Through continued involvement in the fitness niche, he has gained a strong understanding of how trainers and coaches build discoverability and authority online.
Saumya Mittal is the Co-Founder and CEO of FitBudd. Since 2021, she has been actively engaged in the fitness technology sector, collaborating with global fitness companies to foster digital growth and scalable operations. With over a decade of experience leading high-impact projects in engineering and operations, Saumya has a strong background in developing reliable and scalable systems. Through FitBudd, she is dedicated to addressing the evolving needs of fitness professionals worldwide.
Kinshuk Snehi has been closely involved in the fitness space for over four years. Through his work at FitBudd, he has contributed to shaping how fitness professionals build their online presence, attract clients, and scale sustainable coaching businesses. Deeply interested in the intersection of fitness, technology, and growth, Kinshuk brings a hands-on understanding of the challenges faced by modern trainers. His passion lies in building systems and strategies that support long-term consistency, both in fitness journeys and business growth.
Kanika Verma has been closely involved in building solutions for the fitness industry, working with platforms used by coaches and trainers globally. Her experience includes direct exposure to fitness coaching workflows and operational needs. Through sustained involvement in fitness-focused product development, she has developed a strong understanding of how fitness professionals manage clients, programs, and daily operations.
Tanya Sharma has worked on branding initiatives within the fitness niche, supporting fitness platforms and businesses with visual identity design. Her experience includes creating brand systems used by coaches, trainers, and fitness-focused products. Through ongoing involvement in fitness-related design projects, she remains closely connected to how fitness brands communicate trust and professionalism.
Niharika Sonavane has contributed to visual design projects within the fitness industry, supporting platforms and brands serving fitness professionals. Her experience spans creating digital assets used across fitness apps, websites, and marketing materials. Through continued work in the fitness niche, she remains closely aligned with the visual communication needs of coaches and fitness businesses.
Elesh Patel has worked extensively on marketing initiatives within the fitness niche, managing paid campaigns for fitness-focused products and services. His experience includes supporting platforms that target personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness creators. Through long-term involvement in fitness marketing, he remains closely connected to how fitness professionals discover and adopt digital tools.
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